Chinese VP cancels campus visit

Xi Jinping waves to a group of supporters from Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping has cancelled a planned visit to Wellington's Victoria University today amid security concerns following yesterday's incident involving Green Party co-leader Russel Norman at Parliament.

Mr Xi was due to officially launch the university's Confucious institute this morning.

The international network of nearly 300 Confucius Institutes aims to satisfy the demand from people from all around the world to learn the Chinese language and enhance their understanding of Chinese culture.

More than 150 guests including local and international dignitaries were due to attend the official launch which has now been cancelled.

A Victoria University security guard confirmed the cancellation this morning.

Dr Norman complained to police he was assaulted by Chinese security guards as he waved the Tibetan flag on the steps of Parliament during the Mr Xi's visit to Parliament yesterday.

Police said today there was not enough evidence to substantiate Mr Norman's complaint.

Dr Norman was waving a Tibetan flag and calling for democracy as Mr Xi's delegation walked by, but a scuffle broke out as he had an umbrella shoved towards him and the flag pulled from his grasp and thrown on the ground. He emerged with a bleeding hand, which he believed was stomped on.

He said he believed those involved should not be able to leave the country until an investigation had taken place.

He managed to retrieve the flag and loudly remind delegates they could not suppress freedom of speech in New Zealand, but said he was shocked at the response he got.

"I think it's pretty outrageous that Chinese security can come to our country and push around an elected member of Parliament simply because we are standing up for democracy and freedom in our own country on our own Parliamentary grounds," he told reporters.

After visiting Parliament Mr Xi had lunch at Government House and was due to meet with Labour leader Phil Goff back at Parliament afterwards, but that venue was changed at short notice to a central Wellington hotel.

Mr Goff said the scuffle was raised in conversation at the hotel - and acknowledged by Mr Xi - who said he understood a culture of free speech and peaceful protest was acceptable here.

Mr Goff said he hadn't seen footage of the incident but knew enough to suggest there may have been an over-reaction. "I don't think it's on at all - that should not have happened."

"We expect people to be respectful to our visitors, but we also retain the right to protest peacefully."

He said if Dr Norman felt aggrieved, then he backed the decision to lay a complaint with police.

The Chinese delegation has been heavy on its own security during the three-day visit and it appeared New Zealand security had at times been forced into the background.

Dr Norman said it was concerning that government security appeared to have let their Chinese counterparts take control of Parliament.

"Certainly the New Zealand security didn't seem to give a lot of assistance," he said of the clash. "I mean the Chinese security guards elbowed me out of the way, and then I got an umbrella over the top of me and they took the flag off my hands and trampled on it and there wasn't a lot of support from New Zealand security that I could see."

Footage showed at least one New Zealand security guard appeared to try and get between Dr Norman and those he was scuffling with.

Prime Minister John Key had met with Mr Xi in Auckland earlier in the day and told NZPA it was disappointing the incident involving Dr Norman would overshadow what had otherwise been a significant and successful visit aimed at further strengthening trade ties between the countries.

Talking before seeing footage of the incident, he said he generally supported Dr Norman's right to protest.

"At the end of the day we will need to reflect on that situation and I guess in future ensure that both the New Zealanders' right to express their view and protest is preserved but the dignitary involved doesn't feel their safety and security is compromised," he said.

- NZPA